Sheriff’S newS and noteS

Editor’s note: The Schoolcraft County Sheriff’s Department makes weekly submissions, reporting news and activities from the office. Activities are generally broken down into those occurring in the jail and those in individual townships. Other information may include jail information, such as the number of bookings and average jail population.

JULY 4 – AUG. 17, 2012

THE JAIL

Since Jan. 1, 2012, deputies have booked in 153 people into jail. Of this number 121 are male and 32 are female with 56 percent charged with felonies and 44 percent charged with misdemeanors. The average daily population of the jail since Jan. 1 is 16.85 inmates who stay an average of 24.69 days. This population was involved in 32 jail incident reports due to behavior problems.

JAIL INCIDENTS

While conducting a random cell shakedown of the upstairs area, deputies discovered inmates attempting to establish a tunnel from one cell to another. The tunnel was approximately 8 inches deep and 2 inches wide, covered by a photo. Jail hooch, a homemade alcoholic drink, was also discovered within a cell.

DOYLE TOWNSHIP

7/4/2012: The sheriff responded to a distressed boater off of the shore of Michibay Road. After making contact, the sheriff’s office discovered another vessel had arrived on scene and was beginning to tow the boat ashore. No injuries reported.

7/18/2012: At approximately 7:50p.m., the sheriff was dispatched to Michibay Road for a report of an 88-year-old male who walked away from his residence and had not returned for approximately three hours. Neighbors and friends searched the area and the man was located by a retired deputy at 8:20 p.m. and safely returned to his residence.

7/25/2012: A deputy was dispatched to a residence for a report of a missing person. After searching for several days, the sheriff located the subject at a friend’s house.

GERMFASK TOWNSHIP

8/6/2012: Deputies, serving civil process, responded to a juvenile runaway complaint in the northern part of the county. Shortly after arriving in the area, deputies contacted and apprehended the juvenile. Deputies transported the juvenile to the sheriff’s office to be detained until released to probate court.

MANISTIQUE TOWNSHIP

8/6/2012: A vehicle was clocked traveling more than 80 mph on U.S. 2, east of Manistique, in a 55 mph zone. The driver was issued speed citation.

8/9/2012: A vehicle was clocked traveling 77 mph, east on U.S. 2, in a 55 mph zone. The driver was issued a speed citation and a $100 roadside bond was collected.

HIAWATHA TOWNSHIP

8/1/2012: A deputy responded to a request for assistance in traffic control on M-94 for a wildfire that started from a power line just north of the Manistique Rifle and Pistol Club. The fire was contained by county fire crews.

8/6/2012: Deputies responded to an animal neglect and abuse complaint. The complaint was unfounded. A verbal warning was issued to the owner for not having dog licenses.

8/6/2012: Deputies responded to a report of illegal dumping in the area of County Road 440. Deputies were able to locate the responsible subject and made arrangements for cleanup.

8/9/2012: A Deputy took a complaint near the Indian River regarding a lost paddle boat. The paddle boat is an older model and blue and white in color. Anyone with information regarding the vessel is asked to contact the sheriff’s office.

8/10/2012: The Sheriff responded to Bishop Baraga Shrine, located on the north end of Indian Lake, for a possible abandoned vehicle. Anyone with information regarding the vehicle is asked to contact the sheriff’s office or the Michigan State Police.

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP

7/18/2012: At approximately 11:10 a.m., deputies responded to the West Shore of Indian Lake for a report of a lost 6-year-old child. The juvenile was visiting family at a residence in the area and had reportedly walked away while playing. Law enforcement searched the area and buildings around the residence, then expanded the search to the woods near the scene. The child was located by a Manistique Public Safety officer at 12:12 p.m. in a wooded area approximately one quarter mile from the residence and returned to his family unharmed.

OTHER NEWS

7/28/2012: Deputies responded to a disabled vessel located approximately 8 miles off the shoreline of Lake Michigan. The vessel lost power and was stranded. The sheriff’s office utilized the patrol boat to pull the occupants and their disabled vessel to shore without incident.